US-Iran war news LIVE: Iran’s security chief Rezaei says Hormuz will reopen when US stops threatening and attacking Tehran | Today’s news
US-Iran War News LIVE: Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on Sunday (local time) that the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that has been effectively closed since the start of the war, will reopen if the US stops attacking and threatening Tehran. Rezaei made the remarks in an interview with IRIB, noting that the Islamic Republic’s position on the strategic waterway is directly related to Washington’s military posture toward Tehran. Rezaei said: “Iran will commit to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open if the US does not threaten or attack Iran.” He added that Tehran was planning a new restricted maritime zone outside the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, which could extend the restrictions to parts of the Persian Gulf.
Israel ordered an evacuation in southern Lebanon before the strikes
The Israeli military on Monday ordered residents of Deir Zahrani in southern Lebanon to leave a certain zone ahead of strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah. The army said: “Hezbollah’s terrorist activity compels the IDF to take strong action against it,” adding that it was targeting “Hezbollah’s terrorist facilities.” Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV channel later reported on Israeli airstrikes on Deir Zahrani.
Oil prices extend gains after US and Iran launch retaliatory strikes
Oil prices extended gains on Monday as strikes between the U.S. and Iran on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other areas raised fears of a prolonged supply disruption from the Middle East. Brent crude futures were up 52 cents, or 0.54 percent, at $96.80 a barrel by 2354 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 66 cents, or 0.72 percent, at $92.14 a barrel. Brent rose 7.8 percent last week, while WTI gained nearly 10 percent after the U.S. and Iran renewed strikes and cut crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which used to carry a fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
Iran launches attacks on oil tankers
Tehran said it launched tit-for-tat attacks in response to US attacks on Iranian tankers over the weekend, attacking three oil tankers through an “unauthorized route” through the Strait of Hormuz along with some US-linked ships. While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy did not release any details, it later said that US naval drones and a US military unmanned surface vessel attempting to enter the strait were also targeted. The IRGC’s announcement came after the US military said it hit three Iranian oil tankers and destroyed one, in response to the IRGC’s targeting of two US Navy warships with ballistic missiles.
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